He was his brother's keeper

Courtesy of the Coate Family Archives

Johnny Coate.

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One brother was born just before Christmas, and the other was born just after Christmas. They were almost twins; just 13 months separated them.

Their mom dressed them alike. They played the same games. They were on the same Little League baseball team; one was the pitcher, and the other one was the catcher. They went to the same schools and were raised in the same faith.

The younger one was named Johnny. The older one was called Billy, and just to look at them, one could hardly tell them apart.